Salisbury Renews School Chief's Pact

The Salisbury School Board voted 8-1 last night to renew the contract of Superintendent F. Laird Evans.

The vote means that Evans, who has been superintendent for 13 years, will serve a fourth term begining July 1, 1995, and ending June 30, 1998.

Board members said they received letters expressing unhappiness with Evans' commitment to athletics and communication with the community. But they said they received more in support of his past performance.

Board member Norma Cusick dissented and said she was surprised that she was the only one.

"I voted against it because I would have prefered a change of pace. I wasn't in favor of the status quo," she said.

Following the vote, President James McFadden commended Evans for his service to the school district.

"Thank you, Dr. Evans, and welcome back," he said.

One of the complaints expressed in a letter to the board by Richard and Doree Fried was what they said is a lack of commitment to athletics.

"There's that perception that I put academics above athletics," Evans said. "There's no question; I do."

Evans said his top priority is the individual student. He said the school-student relationship must be improved through actions like cultural programming and strategic planning.

However, he said athletics is also a valuable part of a well-rounded education.

Evans said he has been involved with forming teams in the past, and usually attends at least one sporting event each week.

Evans said he thinks installing lights at the district stadium is a good idea and is in favor of the board's decision to examine proposals for the project.

The Frieds questioned his commitment to efforts on the project and said he should be taking a more active stance in support of it.

Roger Stigers, spokesman for people hoping to install the lights, said the lighting would improve school and community spirit.

"Our community doesn't really have a common place, we don't have one town hall," he said. "This would give us the opportunity to come together in one place."

Last night the board said it would examine economic feasibility of the suggestion.

McFadden said that although it may not be possible to budget the funds in one year, they might be able to divide the cost over two.

Debra Brinton was one of 1,500 people who signed a petition to acquire the lights.

She said she is concerned complaints against Evans related to the stadium would give people the impression that everyone in Salisbury neglects academics.

She said she thinks athletics must come second and applauds Evans for his academic stance.

"He's the superintendent. Of course he's going to care about academics," she said. "I may not agree with everything Dr. Evans wants to do, but I'm glad he'll be staying."